Sweet Pepper Slaw

Here is a fun twist on a cole slaw.  It uses traditional cabbage blend plus sweet bell peppers and a sweet onion.  The dressing is a combination sweet/sour reminiscent of the dressing used for a classic three-bean salad. 

Sweet Pepper Slaw

Serves 8

Ingredients:

7 oz Cabbage, Shredded (I use a 1/2 bag of classic preshred with carrots included)

1 Medium Sweet Onion - diced fine

1/2 Pound Sweet Bell Peppers - diced fine.

2 Tablespoons White Vinegar

2 Tablespoons White Sugar

1 Tablespoon Oil (canola, olive oil . . .your choice)

1/8 Teaspoon of Ground Black Pepper

Note:

1. For the peppers - I used a combination of red, yellow and orange mini bell peppers. 

2. To dice, I actually ran the (cleaned) onion and (cleaned) bell peppers through my food processor.  Use a course chop.

Instructions:

1.  Combine the cabbage, onion and peppers in a large bowl.

2.  Prepare the dressing by mixing together the vinegar, oil, sugar and black pepper in a small bowl.   Whisk until well combined. 

3.  Pour the dressing over the slaw mix and toss until well combined.  Cover and let sit in the fridge for at least an hour to let the cabbage soften and the flavors marry. 

Saucy Bell Pepper Burgers

Have you ever made a recipe and once you ate it, you thought - "mmmmmmmm, can't wait to make that one again?"  That was this recipe.  It is a new twist on hamburger that is seasoned and then cooked and smothered with a sweet bell pepper sauce.  No need for a bun with this burger - you'll be eating it with a fork .  Serve with a salad or roasted potatoes on the side and BAM!  Dinner is served :)

Saucy Bell Pepper Burgers

Serves 4

Ingredients:

For the Sauce:

1 and 1/2 Cups Sweet Bell Peppers, Diced (I used a combo of yellow, orange and red - 1 pepper of each color)

1 and 1/3 Cup Water

1 (10 and 1/2-ounce) Can of Beef Consomme

1 Bay Leaf

1 Tablespoon Whole Wheat Flour 

1/3 Cup Water

1 and 1/2 Teaspoons White Vinegar

1 and 1/2 Teaspoons Basil

For the Burgers:

1 lb Lean Ground Beef

1 Teaspoon Chopped Garlic

1/2 Teaspoon Oregano

1 Tablespoon Minced Onion

Step 1:  In a skillet, add the bell peppers and 1 and 1/3 cups water, beef consomme and bay leaf.  Bring to a simmer and continue to simmer, uncovered for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 2:  While the peppers are simmering, prepare your burgers.  In a bowl, mix together all the ingredients for the burgers.  Divide into 4 portions and shape into hamburgers.  Cook the hamburgers however you usually do.  I grilled mine.

Step 3:  In a small bowl, combine the flour and remaining 1/3 cup water.  Whisk until smooth.  Remove the bay leaf from the bell pepper sauce and then pour the flour mixture into the pepper mixture and stir to combine.  Add the basil and vinegar, stir to combine and simmer for 1 or 2 minutes - until combined and the sauce has thickened.

Step 4:  To serve, spoon the bell pepper sauce over the hamburgers.  Enjoy!

Mini Stuffed Peppers

I ran across these at the grocery store the other day and had.to.have.them.  

Luckily, they weren't too spendy either.  SO CUTE!!!!  They are small bell peppers - not spicey ones! I love stuffed jalapenos, but my family isn't too crazy about them.  So these are a good compromise.  And my little guy couldn't get enough of the peppers stuffed and unstuffed.  He just loved them.  I hope you will too.

Mini Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients:

6 Mini Bell Peppers (orange, red, yellow)

4 oz Cream Cheese

1 TB Chopped Bacon

1 TB BBQ Sauce

Pepper to taste

Step 1:  Rinse the peppers and cut in half lengthwise (be sure to leave the stem on - don't remove it).  Remove the seeds.

Step 2:  In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, bacon and bbq sauce.  Taste.  Add pepper as desired.

Step 3:  With a small spoon, fill each mini bell pepper half with the cream cheese mixture and place on baking sheet.

Step 4:  Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes, until hot, bubbly and starting to brown on top.

Serve as an appetizer or side dish.